Pirates Not Focused On Adding A Pitcher

The Pirates releasedErik Bedard earlier today, and manager Clint Hurdle told Michael Sanserino of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the club is not looking to add a veteran pitcher through waivers (Twitter link). The team's primary focus right now is internal options.

After posting a solid 3.94 ERA before the All-Star break, the Pirates' rotation has pitched to a 4.72 ERA in the second half as A.J. Burnett (5.18 ERA) and James McDonald (5.91 ERA) have struggled in August. Deadline pickup Wandy Rodriguez owns a 4.86 ERA with Pittsburgh. The Pirates remain three games back of the two NL Wild Card spots but must only win 14 of their last 34 games to finish with the franchise's first winning season since 1992.

Huntington threw the fanbase a bone with the Wandy Rodriguez deal. So far, it hasn’t worked out. I can’t see him digging into the farm and acquiring another veteran arm this late in the game. It’s been painfully obvious to fans who have followed this team that the Bucs are going to be tickled three shades of pink with an above .500 record in 2012. Back in April, 99.9% of real Pirates fans would have been THRILLED with 82 wins. The current team is going to give us at least that, and overall this organization is a full year ahead of their timeline. Play it out with who we have, give Jeff Locke or Justin Wilson a chance to start in September, and start warming up for the Gerrit Cole/Jameson Taillon revolution in April.

I’ve always been a fan of Wandy but he looks horrible this year. His stuff is bad and he just looks weak. K rate is very low and he’s battling control issues in his rare ok outings in Pittsburgh.

I hope he gets things straightened out very soon because a vintage Wandy can be the extra boost we can use to make the playoffs this season. I also hope he can play well next year with the club obviously.

Hopefully they change that attitude with Shawn Marcum available. For one thing, claiming him prevents LAD from picking him up (which I assume they would) because the Pirates were 0.5 behind LA when Marcum was placed on waivers. If the Brewers don’t ask for much, which is possible considering we’re only talking about getting him for 5-6 starts, he’d be a great addition to the rotation for the stretch run. If they want a ton, then just go with Jeff Locke and keep him from being another LA acquisition.

Why didn’t the Pirates go after Felix Dubront from boston? He’s a young good throwing left hander i’d love to see Ray Searage get a chance to work with. and even have Burnett help him out a little bit like he did with McDonald.